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Risky sexual behaviours among school-aged adolescents in Namibia: secondary data analyses of the 2013 Global school-based health survey

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Abstract

Aim

Risky sexual behaviours (RSB) among adolescents is one of the major public health concerns globally. These behaviours–RSB have adverse effects on their future health and well-being. Therefore, in this paper, our aim was to assess the determinants of RSB among in-school Namibian adolescents using the 2013 Global School-based Health Survey.

Methods

The data was extracted and analysed with STATA version 14.2. Both bivariate and multivariable analyses were done to generate results that infomed the discussion. The results were presented as odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). Level of statistical significance was declared at a p-value of < 0.05.

Results

Our results showed that of the 2846 adolescents surveyed, 51.8% reported they have ever had sexual intercourse.

Fifty-eight percent reported having multiple sexual partners and 23.2% reported not using a condom during their last sexual intercourse. The multivariable analysis showed that age [AOR = 2.50; CI = 1.99–3.14], sex [AOR = 0.40; CI = 0.34–0.47], grade [AOR = 1.80; CI =1.38–2.36], suicidal ideation [AOR = 1.44; CI =1.16–1.79], bullying [AOR = 1.36; CI = 1.15–1.62], hunger [AOR = 1.39; CI = 1.17–1.64], alcohol use [AOR = 1.57; CI = 1.31–1.89], marijuana use [AOR = 1.98; CI = 1.14–3.45] and parental knowledge of activity [AOR = 0.82; CI = 0.68–0.99] showed statistically significant influence on sexual experience. Sex [AOR = 0.43; CI = 0.33–0.55], grade [AOR = 1.58; CI = 1.15–2.18], alcohol use [AOR = 1.37; CI =1.07–1.75], marijuana use [AOR = 2.23; CI = 1.11–4.46] and parental supervision [AOR = 0.76; CI = 0.59–0.98] were associated with multiple sexual partners. There was also statistically significant association between age [AOR = 0.32; CI = 0.21–0.48], loneliness [AOR = 1.49; CI = 1.04–2.14], number of close friends [AOR = 0.60; CI = 0.37–0.96] and parental supervision [AOR = 0.43; CI = 0.32–0.60] on non-condom use.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the need for a pragmatic approach in addressing RSB among adolescents by adopting substance use prevention and mental health promotion programmes and by encouraging more parental involvement in activities of their adolescents.

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Data availability

The dataset is freely available for download at: https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the WHO for making the data available for analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

    Abdul-Aziz Seidu, Eugene Kofuor Maafo Darteh & Eugene Budu

  2. The Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research (ACPPHR), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    Bright Opoku Ahinkorah & Edward Kwabena Ameyaw

  3. Ghana Education Service, Pusiga District, Pusiga, Ghana

    Hawa Iddrisu

  4. Ghana Health Service, Abura Dunkwa Health Directorate, Abura Dunkwa, Ghana

    Edmond Banafo Nartey

Authors
  1. Abdul-Aziz Seidu
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  2. Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
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  3. Edward Kwabena Ameyaw
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  4. Eugene Kofuor Maafo Darteh
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  5. Eugene Budu
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  6. Hawa Iddrisu
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  7. Edmond Banafo Nartey
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Contributions

AS, EKMD, BOA, and EA were involved in the concept and study design. AS conducted data analysis. AS and BOA drafted the manuscript. AS, BOA, EKMD, EKA, EB, EBN, and HI critically revised the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final version.

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Correspondence to Abdul-Aziz Seidu.

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Seidu, AA., Ahinkorah, B.O., Ameyaw, E.K. et al. Risky sexual behaviours among school-aged adolescents in Namibia: secondary data analyses of the 2013 Global school-based health survey. J Public Health (Berl.) 29, 451–461 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01140-x

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